Books published by Samuel French Ltd

Dolly and Clara arrive at Castle Drackenberg, unaware that danger lurks behind every corner, for the castle's owner, Count Drackenberg is a vampire. Nick Warburton combines elements of the vampire horror genre - including a sinister henchman, surly villagers and doughty vampire expert.

Victor breaks up with his wife. He advertises for a housekeeper. Three women answer the advert. Victor's life is turned upside down as the three lust for blood and alcohol.4 women, 1 man

In a suburban bedroom three boys Don, Bryn and Shaun, are "immersed in a world of fantasy, a world where good and evil meet in battle across a landscape of the imagination". Mean-while, on Wuldor, a parallel world, King Fruma is having a spot of bother with his wicked brother Snithan, and instructs his wizard, Dwimor, to protect his son, Prince Erfa.Large flexible cast

On her return from a celebration party Gillian finds she has been sent a copy of her own novel The Lady Is Dead. The series of accidents that follow convince her that someone is trying to murder her by one of the methods described in her book.-5 women

With the capable and experienced Celia Johns growing more and more frustrated by staying aimlessly at home and her husband Rupert proving more and more inefficient as a businessman, it seems a good idea - though Rupert is shocked at first - that they should change places: and indeed Celia soon starts Rupert's firm on a profit-making course, while Rupert runs the house with equal efficiency and enthusiasm.-4 women, 4 men

Cuthbert Barnstable, an establishment type, learns he has only 18 months to live. At first he only tells his friend, Harry. But he's constantly tempted to divulge his secret and always disappointed by the reaction of his loved ones.4 women, 4 men

When Polly Glover, the Admiral's daughter, borrows her brother's friend's flat to arrange meeting prospective bridegrooms from a Marriage Bureau, she has little idea what she is letting herself in for.|2 women, 4 men

Lady Fitzadams, the wife of an army general, has hit on hard times needs to raise money, quick. But will her scheme pass her husband's approval? Comedy ensues when Lady Fitzadams's plan to open the general's headquarters to visitors, brings home only handsome young fishermen...3 women, 8 men

A multi-layered, witty thriller involving two men and two women. A Russian doll of a play, it moves from a seemingly innocuous domestic playreading through a murder mystery in the classic style, to a final terrifying and violent climax.

The troubles of Ventroux, parliamentary deputy, begin when his wife Clarisse insists it is so hot that she can only wear a négligé around the apartment. Hochepaix, a former political enemy, visits; Clarisse is stung in a most unfortunate place and pleads with Hochepaix and her husband to suck out the sting for her. When a reporter from Le Figaro kindly administers first aid in full view of the President it seems doubtful that poor Ventroux's political career will survive!|1 woman, 4 men

Shipbuilder Karsten Bernick is a successful businessman in a small Norwegian coastal town but his wealth has been founded on a lie and now he is threatened with exposure. As the wily, unscrupulous Berniock struggles to preserve his standing in the community, he sets in motion a chain of events that threatens to destroy all he holds most dear.

Welcome to Ancient Greece and the wedding of Pandora and Epimetheus! When a strange box appears amongst the wedding presents, and curiosity compels Pandora to open it, all manner of evil is released into the world! She grabs the box and runs away causing a mad race to find Pandora and the box.

Rupert and his famous friends, including Edward Trunk, Bill Badger, Podgy Pig, Algy Pug, Pong Ping and Tiger Lily feature in this new story. Edward Trunk wishes for a sunny day for his birthday, but Nutwood is currently experiencing only winter weather. On the advice of Wise Owl, Rupert goes to see the Clerk of the Weather. The friendly Green Dragon is a great help, but Zita, the Ice Maid, has to be foiled first! Tuneful songs and lots of audience participation.

The action starts in Mrs. Macdonald's farmyard. Jack, her son, is preoccupied with his dream of building a rocket. At first this leads him astray, but eventually proves he's really a winner. His sister is the only practical member of the family, a hard-working tomboy. The family is threatened with eviction by Mr. Meany, an unfair landlord. Jack is sent to sell Marigold, the cow. Meanwhile, the arrival of a spaceship containing Buzz and Beep, two spacemen on a mission to find a cow, leads to unusual complications.Large flexible cast

At first it seems as if journalist Henry Pratt is living a life that is rather small in scope - but all is due to change. A series of events challenge Henry the reporter and Henry the man and by the end of the play he is married and much wiser to the ways of the world.

This play traces the ups and downs in the life of Henry Pratt. Born in 1935, Henry's childhood is disrupted first by war, then by the death of his mother and father. Henry is packed off to prep school and then public school and then lives with grown-up cousin Hilda. The play ends in 1953, as he begins his National Service. David Nobbs is well known as a TV writer of quality and this play was screened under the title The Life and Times of Henry Pratt.Large flexible cast

Philip Ashley travels to Italy to find his cousin Ambrose has died suddenly and Rachel, Ambrose's wife, has gone. Philip returns to England convinced Rachel was responsible for Ambrose's death, hoping to inherit his possessions. When Rachel arrives in England Philip falls in love with her. One small event after another causes a kind of see-saw of belief and disbelief. Is Rachel a scheming murderess or a grossly maligned woman?2 women, 5 men

Private Peaceful relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. During the night, he looks back at his short but joyfulpast growing up in rural Devon: his exciting first days at school; the accident in the forest that killed his father; his adventures with Molly, the love of his life; and the battles and injustices ofwar that brought him to the front line.

An amateur astronomer is offered supernatural powers by a goddess, but the reality is far more sexual…|6 women, 4 men

Private Peaceful relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. During the night, he looks back at his short but joyfulpast growing up in rural Devon: his exciting first days at school; the accident in the forest that killed his father; his adventures with Molly, the love of his life; and the battles and injustices ofwar that brought him to the front line.

Set in the Nutty May Fair, the play follows the struggle of the nuts - including Kernel Walnut, Monkey Nut, William the Conker, Gypsy Brazil and Old Ma Coconut - against the villainous confectioner Professor Jelly Bon Bon, who is searching for nuts with which to create a new chocolate assortment. The "Chocolate Squirter's" aims are eventually foiled, thanks to the nuttiness of the Nuts and the audience's help.-3 women, 3 men, 1 girl or boy

Pulling himself out of the rut of his middle-aged executive lifestyle, Roger Piper stumbles into a sixteen-month tempestuous affair with the effervescent Angela Caxton, and is thrown into a whirlwind of romances and champagne. He discovers that Angie does not share his obsession with their relationship and after multiple crises the affair ends in tragedy.|3 women, 4 men

Jean Anouilh's sharp and witty new play, which enjoyed a season at the Queen's Theatre, London, centres around the ageing, gout-stricken and passe playwright Leon Saint-Pe, as he struggles manfully to being a new play, provisionally entitled Les Miserables, despite the constant interruptions and selfish demands of his utterly egocentric family and friends. A master of the art of dramatic contrivance, Anouilh displays his usual stylish blend of cynicism and subtle irony when he has Leon, eventually deciding that everyone on earth is wholly self-centred, rechristen his play, Number One.|5 women, 5 men

Barbara Love is a famous TV star who, just before her Christmas party, is threatened by a chilling voice on her answering machine and then receives a macabre present boxed in a miniature coffin. Not so much a 'whodunnit' but more a 'who's going to do it', as along troop the staff of her television show for the Christmas buffet, each one of them with a motive to murder her. The tension mounts as this cunningly plotted thriller twists and turns towards the final spine-tingling revelation.2 women, 6 men

Rich in humour, conflict and depth, The Circle follows Lady Kitty, who had given up a stuffy life with her titled husband to run away with a young adventurer, as she watches her niece, Elizabeth about to make the same mistake 20 years later. Glynis Johns, Rex Harrison and Stewart Granger starred in a hit revival of Maugham's sparkling comedy of manners on Broadway.-3 women, 4 men

Based on the book by Michael Havers and Edward Grayson, and first seen at Chichester and subsequently at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London, in 1989, the play dramatizes the Victorian scandal of 1890 in which Sir William Gordon Cumming, a baronet and personal friend of the Prince of Wales, was accused by his mistress's husband of cheating at baccarat.-4 women, 9 men

This is a full length pantomime, entirely traditional with lots of humour and with its own original and delightful score by Eric Gilder which is available separately. The large number of both amateur and professional groups who present Crocker and Gilder pantomimes regularly every year is unmistakable proof of their success.Large flexible cast

Cecily Harrington has led a staid and proper existence. After winning a large amount of money in a sweepstake she desperately yearns for a life of adventure. Enter Bruce Lovell, a handsome and charming stranger who sweeps her off her feet. In a whirlwind romance, she recklessly abandons her job, friends and fianc¿ to settle in the remote and blissful surroundings of a country cottage. However, her newfound "love from a stranger" is not what it seems and in an astonishingly tense final scene, Cecily discovers the ghastly truth of her new love. "The final act is sure of its effect. The suspense is maintained; each turn of the story is clear and striking; the terror-stricken self-control of the girl and the man's gross and abominable insanity are depicted with every refinement. A successful thriller."THE TIMES "There is authentic and tremendous suspense about the struggle between Bruce and his wife. One feels that, if any bird did nest near this cottage, it would be the croaking raven or the fatal owl." THE OBSERVER

Owing to the difficulties of actually writing it down, a group of children imagine their play in which there are scenes from a fairy tale - The Princess and the Woodcutter - a pirate story and a Christmas episode which includes many pantomime and nursery rhyme characters.|Large flexible cast